Members of the Cayman Youth Choir showcased their talents at the International Choral Festival Verona Garda Estate in Lake Garda, Italy recently – and the experience not only resonated well but set the tone for future such events.
A part of CayMusicA’s student education programme, the Cayman Youth Choir is made up of about 125 members representing more than 30 schools across the Islands. It is led by Naomi Allnut, the music teacher at John Gray High School.
Participating in an international festival was not something that Allnut had been planning; however, when an invitation arrived from its director Alberto Rinaldi in the spring of 2025, it caught her interest.
“Italy seemed like the perfect location to embed our young people in vibrant ancient and historic Italian and Roman culture and also to embrace the living traditions and culture of everyday life, including music and of course food,” she said.
The choir members who made the trip included singers from age 12 up to 20 years old. There were 23 in total. Most were from John Gray High School, but other came from Cayman Prep and High School, St. Ignatius Catholic School, CF School, the University College of the Cayman Islands and Lighthouse School. Some home-schooled students also joined.
To make the trip a reality, the choir needed to do quite a bit of fundraising.
“We had huge support from the choir family and the wider community in fundraising for the trip,” Allnut said. “All singers individually raised over a thousand dollars towards their cost, and we were fortunate to have the support of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism, Department of Sports and the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage.”
She also said that some of the singers took part in more than 10 fundraising ‘Christmas Jukebox’ performances for local businesses and held bake and craft sales to raise the funds. CayMusicA also supported the initiative.
The festival
The festival took place from 25-28 June this year in four locations. The churches and cities where the concerts were held included San Martino Vescovo Parish Church in Peschiera del Garda; San Pietro Apostolo Parish Church in Caldiero; Santa Maria Annunziata Parish Church in Roncà; and San Bartolomeo Apostolo Parish Church in San Bortolo delle Montagne.
Accompanist and parent Phenicia Bodden-Fraser shared her impressions of the trip. “One of the most remarkable aspects of this achievement was that these young singers performed alongside adult choirs from around the world. They proudly showcased the talent and musical excellence of Cayman’s youth while serving as ambassadors for our Islands on an international stage.”
The songs
The diverse repertoire featured both well-known pieces such as “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley (arranged by Mark De-Lisser), and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, as well as capella pieces “Time” by Jennifer Lucy Cook and “I Wish You Love” by Charles Trenet (translation by Albert Beach and arranged by Roger Emerson), Bodden-Fraser said.
The choir also shared Caymanian culture through a special arrangement of “Cayman Islands” by Beneil Miller and “Cardile Gone to Cuba” by Aunt Julia Hydes, giving international audiences a taste of the Islands’ unique musical heritage.
The choir received a standing ovation at every event, Bodden-Fraser said.
Choir member Suwaine Powell, aged 14, shared a little of her experience. “My favourite memories are when we would tour Italy and realise how unique each culture is and I think it helped us to appreciate our differences.”
De’Marly Wood, also 14 years old, said, “It was important for us to go because it showed everyone that a small island like Cayman has world-class talent. I would go back in a heartbeat. Singing in those historical Italian churches is something I will never forget.”
Aaron Perera, aged 15 said, “All the fundraising for the trip wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it because we all got to experience what some would say is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Allnut said that key moments for her was hearing the sound of her students’ voices echoing through the churches. “The magical acoustic of the venues made our repertoire much more challenging to sing because of the vast echo, but to hear their voices sing out in that setting brought tears to my eyes at every performance.”
She added, “Seeing our young singers standing shoulder-to-shoulder with established, international adult choirs, singing … with confidence and passion and wearing their flag, was life-changing for us all,” she said.
Allnut also said a final highlight was seeing the young singer from the Lighthouse School, Dante Bodden, “standing up and singing with confidence and poise every single time. The utter joy he finds in singing together with his choir friends is awe-inspiring and we are so proud and lucky to have him in our choir.”
Allnut said she is exploring future trips for the choir, possibly one every two years.
“The trip to Italy changed us all and it was truly an honour and privilege to share every moment with our wonderful young people. They are extraordinary and they have proved they can represent Cayman on the global stage with their unique energy and joy and phenomenal talent,” she said.
The Cayman Youth Choir is open to all young people, is free to join and no audition is required. The organisation has a Facebook page or for more details, people can email [email protected]
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What a wonderful experience for our young singers, as they have said, it will remain with them for the rest. of their lives. Not only did they perform so well, every one went out and fund raised over $1,000. A heartwarming tale for all Compass readers.
Also a big thank you to Naomi Allnut who must have spent many days if not weeks, organising all this.